A Bernalillo County animal control officer who cites pet owners for not having proper permits just had to surrender his own pet alligator to the zoo.

Animal Control Officer Scott Valenti just turned his 14-inch American alligator over to the zoo after he realized he did not have the proper permits to keep the gator in his house.

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"New Mexico changed their laws a couple of years ago, and there was a lot of confusion and as that starts to settle out a little bit people are finding out maybe I didn't have the right paperwork or maybe I did," Doug Hotle, with the Rio Grande Zoo, said.

The zoo plans to house the gator while the officer applies for the proper permits.

The gator and several of the officer's snakes have been used during training seminars for animal control officers.